Looking to master the heavy sounds of metal on your bass guitar? Check out this comprehensive guide to the best bass guitar books for metal, featuring expert recommendations. Elevate your skills and unleash your inner metalhead with these essential resources.
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Today, we’re diving into five exceptional bass guitar books for metal that are popular and respected in the bass community.
These books will help you learn fundamental techniques and metal riffs on the bass, and you’ll see what makes each book different, and explore why you need each of them in your collection.
So, let’s check them out!
The 5 Best Bass Guitar Books for Metal (Quick Glance)
- “Iron Maiden – Bass Anthology” by Iron Maiden: Dive into the legendary bass lines of Iron Maiden’s iconic songs like “The Trooper” and “Run to the Hills,” and learn to groove like Steve Harris.
- “Extreme Metal Bass” by Alex Webster: Unleash your inner metal beast with Alex Webster’s guide to extreme metal bass techniques, including slap bass and tapping techniques.
- “Shredding Bass Guitar: Heavy Metal Pyrotechnics Meet the Bass Guitar” by David Overthrow: Take your bass playing to the next level as David Overthrow provides in-depth instruction on playing aggressive, shred bass lines.
- “Heavy Metal Bass Method” by Stephan Richter: Stephan Richter’s method is your key to learning the fundamentals of heavy metal bass playing, covering essential techniques, licks, and theory for the genre.
- “Megadeth Bass Anthology” by Megadeth: Learn to play the bass lines from Megadeth’s heavy metal classics, including “Symphony of Destruction” and “Peace Sells,” with this comprehensive anthology.
“Iron Maiden – Bass Anthology” by Iron Maiden
First up, we have “Iron Maiden – Bass Anthology” by Iron Maiden.
If you’ve ever dreamt of playing those iconic, fast bass lines that Steve Harris delivers with unmatched precision and tone, this book is for you.
With song transcriptions from classics like “The Trooper” and “Run to the Hills,” you’ll not only learn the songs but also capture the essence of Iron Maiden’s signature sound.
Dive into the intricate gallops, famous runs, and advanced metal techniques that make Steve Harris one of the greatest metal bassists of all time.
“Extreme Metal Bass” by Alex Webster
Are you ready to push the boundaries of your bass playing? “Extreme Metal Bass” by Alex Webster is the book that will take you to the extreme.
Alex, known for his work with Cannibal Corpse, is a master of the extreme metal genre, and in this book, he shares his secrets.
From slap bass techniques to tapping, this book provides the tools and insights to help you stand out in all levels and genres of the metal world.
With exercises, examples, and insider tips from a well-known metal bass pro, you’ll develop the skills required to deliver the aggressive, high-speed, and technically demanding bass lines that define high-level metal bass playing.
“Shredding Bass Guitar: Heavy Metal Pyrotechnics Meet the Bass Guitar” by David Overthrow
If you want to shred like a true metal virtuoso, “Shredding Bass Guitar” by David Overthrow is the guide you’ve been searching for.
This book is all about pushing your bass technique to its limits, and is especially great if you play a 6-string bass.
Some of the techniques covered include:
- String skipping
- Tapping
- Arpeggios
- Scales
- Slapping
Several of the exercises, scales, and techniques are specifically tailored for heavy metal, like the gallops in the style of Steve Harris.
Outside of the content tailored towards metal bass playing, you’ll learn an endless array of advanced bass techniques based off of players like Les Claypool and Victor Wooten.
This is a must-have book for any advancing bassist.
“Heavy Metal Bass Method” by Stephan Richter
Next in line, we have the “Heavy Metal Bass Method” by Stephan Richter.
This book is a fundamental resource for anyone seeking to learn the fundamentals of heavy metal bass playing.
Whether you’re a beginner looking to build a solid foundation or an intermediate player aiming to refine your skills, this method has got you covered.
It delves into essential techniques, music theory, licks and exercises tailored specifically to the heavy metal genre.
You’ll learn how to create the heavy, groove-driven bass lines that drive the heart of metal rhythm.
“Megadeth Bass Anthology” by Megadeth
Last but not least is the “Megadeth Bass Anthology” by Megadeth.
This book is a must-have for any aspiring metal bassist, especially traditional and thrash metal players.
You’ll dive headfirst into Megadeth’s heavy metal classics like “Symphony of Destruction” and “Peace Sells.”
By learning the music of Megadeth, you’ll discover not just the bass lines but also the intricate rhythms and harmonies that make their music so unique and interesting.
So get this book, learn Megadeth’s challenging bass lines, and develop your skills based on highly influential metal music compositions, thanks to David Ellefson’s expert bass work.
Bass Books For Metal Conclusion
These five bass guitar books for metal are your roadmap to becoming a master of metal bass, and will help with your bass playing technique and theory knowledge as a whole.
All of these books cover a wide variety of styles, techniques, exercises, and songs, from Iron Maiden’s classic melodies to Megadeth’s thrashy rhythms, extreme metal’s brutality, fundamental metal concepts, and the advanced technical ideas of virtuoso bass shredders.
Whether you’re learning about metal technique, expanding your compositional arsenal, or diving deep into the unique aspects of metal bass, these books are your best resources.
Until next time, keep shredding, grooving, and rocking the metal world!